Injectable vaccines against multiple meningococcal serogroups

ABSTRACT

An injectable immunogenic composition comprising capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of Neisseria meningitidis, wherein said capsular saccharides are conjugated to carrier protein(s) and/or are oligosaccharides, and wherein (i) the composition comprises &lt;50 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose, and/or (ii) the composition further comprises an antigen from one or more of: (a) serogroup B N. meningitidis; (b) Haemophilus influenzae type B; and/or (c) Streptococcus pneumoniae. Saccharide antigens in the compositions are generally conjugated to a carrier.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, filed Apr. 25, 2018, is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/240,385, filed Aug. 18, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,981,031, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/543,455, filed Nov. 6, 2006, now pending, which is the § 371 National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/162004/000651, filed Jan. 30, 2004, which claims foreign priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0323101.6, filed Oct. 2, 2003, and United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0302217.5, filed Jan. 30, 2003, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SUBMISSION OF′ SEQUENCE LISTING AS ASCHII TEXT FILE

The content of the following submission on ASCII text file is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: a computer readable form (CRF) of the Sequence Listing (file name: 303822006710SEQUST.TXT, date recorded: Aug. 17, 2016, size: 31 KB).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of vaccines, particularly against bacterial meningitis.

BACKGROUND ART

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative human pathogen [1] which causes bacterial meningitis. It is closely related to N. gonorrhoeae, although one feature that clearly differentiates meningococcus is the presence of a polysaccharide capsule that is present in all pathogenic meningococci.

Based on the organism's capsular polysaccharide, twelve serogroups of N. meningitidis have been identified (A, B, C, H, I, K, L, 29E, W135, X, Y & Z). Serogroup A (‘MenA’) is most common cause of epidemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Serogroups B & C are responsible for the majority of cases in developed countries, with the remaining cases being caused by serogroups W135 & Y.

As well as being used for classification, the capsular polysaccharide has been used for vaccination. An injectable tetravalent vaccine of capsular polysaccharides from serogroups A, C, Y & W135 has been known for many years [2,3] and is licensed for human use. Although effective in adolescents and adults, it induces a poor immune response and short duration of protection and cannot be used in infants [e.g. 4]. The polysaccharides in this vaccine are unconjugated and are present at a 1:1:1:1 weight ratio [5]. Mencevax ACWY™ and Menomune™ both contain 50 μg of each purified polysaccharide once reconstituted from their lyophilised forms. The capsular saccharides of serogroups A, C, W135 & Y have also been combined in the form of conjugates [6-9] to give tetravalent vaccines e.g. the unadjuvanted Menactra™ product.

Conjugated serogroup C oligosaccharides have been approved for human use, including Menjugate™ [10,11], Meningitec™ and NeisVac-C™. The Menjugate™ and Meningitec™ products have oligosaccharide antigens conjugated to a CRM₁₉₇ carrier, whereas NeisVac-C™ uses the complete polysaccharide (de-O-acetylated) conjugated to a tetanus toxoid carrier.

There remains, however, a need for improvements in conjugate vaccines against serogroups A, W135 and Y, and in their manufacture. That need is addressed by the products, processes and uses disclosed in reference 7, but there remains scope for further modifications and improvements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an injectable immunogenic composition comprising capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis, wherein said capsular saccharides are conjugated to carrier protein(s) and/or are oligosaccharides, and wherein the composition comprises ≤50 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose.

The invention also provides an injectable immunogenic composition comprising capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis, wherein said capsular saccharides are conjugated to carrier protein(s) and/or are oligosaccharides, and wherein the composition further comprises an antigen from one or more of: (a) serogroup B N. meningitidis; (b) Haemophilus influenzae type B; and/or (c) Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Antigens included in sixteen preferred compositions of the invention are: (1) serogroups C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (2) serogroups A, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (3) serogroups B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (4) serogroups A, B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (5) H. influenzae type B and serogroups C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (6) H. influenzae type B and serogroups A, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (7) H. influenzae type B and serogroups B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (8) H. influenzae type B and serogroups A, B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (9) S. pneumoniae and serogroups C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (10) S. pneumoniae and serogroups A, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (11) S. pneumoniae and serogroups B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (12) S. pneumoniae and serogroups A, B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (13) H. influenzae type B, S. pneumoniae and serogroups C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (14) H. influenzae type B, S. pneumoniae and serogroups A, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (15) H. influenzae type B, S. pneumoniae and serogroups B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis; (16) H. influenzae type B, S. pneumoniae and serogroups A, B, C, W135 & Y of N. meningitidis.

Saccharide antigens in the compositions of the invention are preferably conjugated to a carrier. Saccharide antigens in the compositions of the invention are preferably oligosaccharides. Saccharide antigens in the compositions of the invention are most preferably conjugated oligosaccharides.

Meningococcal Saccharide Mixtures

The compositions of the invention comprise capsular saccharides from at least two (i.e. 2, 3 or 4) of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis. Compositions of the invention preferably include N. meningitidis saccharides from at least serogroups C, W135 and Y (i.e. no MenA saccharide). It is preferred that the protective efficacy of individual saccharide antigens is not removed by combining them, although actual immunogenicity (e.g. ELISA titres) may be reduced.

Mixtures of saccharides from more than one serogroup of N. meningitidis are preferred e.g. compositions comprising saccharides from serogroups A+C, A+W135, A+Y, C+W135, C+Y, W135+Y, A+C+W135, A+C+Y, C+W135+Y, A+C+W135+Y, etc. Preferred compositions comprise saccharides from serogroups C and Y. Other preferred compositions comprise saccharides from serogroups C, W135 and Y. Compositions in which the capsular saccharides are from groups A and C only are not preferred (cf. refs. 10, 13 & 14).

Where a mixture comprises capsular saccharides from both serogroups A and C, the ratio (w/w) of MenA saccharide:MenC saccharide may be greater than 1 (e.g. 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1 or higher).

Where a mixture comprises capsular saccharides from serogroup Y and one or both of serogroups C and W135, the ratio (w/w) of MenY saccharide:MenW135 saccharide may be greater than 1 (e.g. 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1 or higher) and/or that the ratio (w/w) of MenY saccharide:MenC saccharide may be less than 1 (e.g. 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, or lower).

A typical quantity of each meningococcal saccharide antigen per dose is between 1 μg and 20 μg e.g. about 1 μg, about 2.5 μg, about 4 μg, about 5 μg, or about 10 μg (expressed as saccharide).

Preferred ratios (w/w) for saccharides from serogroups A:C:W135:Y are: 1:1:1:1; 1:1:1:2; 2:1:1:1; 4:2:1:1; 8:4:2:1; 4:2:1:2; 8:4:1:2; 4:2:2:1; 2:2:1:1; 4:4:2:1; 2:2:1:2; 4:4:1:2; and 2:2:2:1. Preferred ratios (w/w) for saccharides from serogroups C:W135:Y are: 1:1:1; 1:1:2; 1:1:1; 2:1:1; 4:2:1; 2:1:2; 4:1:2; 2:2:1; and 2:1:1. Using a substantially equal mass of each saccharide is preferred.

Purification of Capsular Polysaccharides

Meningococcal capsular polysaccharides are typically prepared by a process comprising the steps of polysaccharide precipitation (e.g. using a cationic detergent), ethanol fractionation, cold phenol extraction (to remove protein) and ultracentrifugation (to remove LPS) [e.g. ref. 15].

A more preferred process [7], however, involves polysaccharide precipitation followed by solubilisation of the precipitated polysaccharide using a lower alcohol. Precipitation can be achieved using a cationic detergent such as tetrabutylammonium and cetyltrimethylammonium salts (e.g. the bromide salts), or hexadimethrine bromide and myristyltrimethylammonium salts. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (‘CTAB’) is particularly preferred [16]. Solubilisation of the precipitated material can be achieved using a lower alcohol such as methanol, propan-1-ol, propan-2-ol, butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol, 2-methyl-propan-1-ol, 2-methyl-propan-2-ol, diols, etc., but ethanol is particularly suitable for solubilising CTAB-polysaccharide complexes. Ethanol is preferably added to the precipitated polysaccharide to give a final ethanol concentration (based on total content of ethanol and water) of between 50% and 95%.

After re-solubilisation, the polysaccharide may be further treated to remove contaminants. This is particularly important in situations where even minor contamination is not acceptable (e.g. for human vaccine production). This will typically involve one or more steps of filtration e.g. depth filtration, filtration through activated carbon may be used, size filtration and/or ultrafiltration.

Once filtered to remove contaminants, the polysaccharide may be precipitated for further treatment and/or processing. This can be conveniently achieved by exchanging cations (e.g. by the addition of calcium or sodium salts).

As an alternative to purification, capsular saccharides of the present invention may be obtained by total or partial synthesis e.g. Hib synthesis is disclosed in ref. 17, and MenA synthesis in ref. 18.

The polysaccharide may be chemically modified. For instance, it may be modified to replace one or more hydroxyl groups with blocking groups. This is particularly useful for reducing hydrolysis for serogroup A [19] (see below). De-O-acetylation of saccharides can also be performed.

Serogroup B N. meningitidis

Some compositions of the invention include an antigen from serogroup B N. meningitidis. Unlike serogroups A, C, W135 and Y, the capsular saccharide of MenB is unsuitable for use as an immunogen in humans because of its similarity to self antigens. If a saccharide antigen is to be used for MenB, therefore, it is necessary to use a modified saccharide, such as one in which N-acetyl groups in the saccharide's sialic acid residues are replaced with N-acyl groups. Suitable N-acyl groups are C₁ to C₈ acyl groups, such as N-propionyl [20]. Rather than use a saccharide antigen, however, it is preferred to use a polypeptide antigen.

Thus the composition may include one or more polypeptide antigens which induce(s) an immune response that protects against MenB infection and/or that is bactericidal against MenB. More generally, the composition can preferably, after administration to a subject, induce an antibody response in that subject that is bactericidal against two or more (e.g. 2 or 3) of hypervirulent lineages A4, ET-5 and lineage 3 of N. meningitidis serogroup B.

The genome sequence of strain MC58 of MenB has been published [21] and suitable antigens can be selected from the encoded polypeptides [22]. Preferred antigens are disclosed in references 22 to 32. Rather than consisting of a single antigen, it is preferred that the composition of the invention comprises a mixture of 10 or fewer (e.g. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2) purified antigens, and it is particularly preferred that the composition should not include complex or undefined mixtures of antigens e.g. it is preferred not to include outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in the composition.

Preferred compositions include one or more of the following five antigens [32]: (1) a ‘NadA’ protein, preferably in oligomeric form (e.g. in trimeric form); (2) a ‘741’ protein; (3) a ‘936’ protein; (4) a ‘953’ protein; and (5) a ‘287’ protein.

Preferred MenB antigens comprise an amino acid sequence found in one of strains are 2996, MC58, 95N477, and 394/98. Protein 287 is preferably from strain 2996 or, more preferably, from strain 394/98. Protein 741 is preferably from serogroup B strains MC58, 2996, 394/98, or 95N477, or from serogroup C strain 90/18311. Strain MC58 is more preferred. Proteins 936, 953 and NadA are preferably from strain 2996. Where a composition includes a particular protein antigen (e.g. 741 or 287), the composition can include that antigen in more than one variant form e.g. the same protein, but from more than one strain. These proteins may be included as tandem or separate proteins.

‘NadA’ (Neisserial adhesin A) from MenB is disclosed as protein ‘961’ in reference 25 (SEQ IDs 2943 & 2944) and as ‘NMB1994’ in reference 21 (see also GenBank accession numbers: 11352904 & 7227256). A detailed study of the protein can be found in reference 33. When used according to the present invention, NadA may take various forms. Preferred forms of NadA are truncation or deletion variants, such as those disclosed in references 29 to 31. In particular, NadA without its C-terminal membrane anchor is preferred (e.g. deletion of residues 351-405 for the 2996 strain, to give SEQ ID NO:1 herein), which is sometimes distinguished herein by the use of a ‘C’ superscript e.g. NadA^((C)). Expression of NadA without its membrane anchor domain in E. coli results in secretion of the protein into the culture supernatant with concomitant removal of its 23mer leader peptide (e.g. to leave a 327mer for strain 2996 [SEQ ID NO:2 herein]). Polypeptides without their leader peptides are sometimes distinguished herein by the use of a ‘NL’ superscript e.g. NadA^((NL)) or NadA^((C)(NL))). Preferred NadA polypeptides have an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID NO:2; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) lack one or more amino acids (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more) from the C-terminus and/or the N-terminus of SEQ ID NO:1 (e.g. NadA^((C)), NadA^((NL)), NadA^((C)(NL))). Other preferred fragments comprise an epitope from SEQ ID 1, and a particularly preferred fragment of SEQ ID 1 is SEQ ID 2. These various sequences includes NadA variants (e.g. allelic variants, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, mutants, etc.). Various NadA sequences are shown in FIG. 9 of reference 34.

‘741’ protein from MenB is disclosed in reference 25 (SEQ IDs 2535 & 2536) and as ‘NMB1870’ in reference 21 (see also GenBank accession number GI:7227128). The corresponding protein in serogroup A [35] has GenBank accession number 7379322. 741 is naturally a lipoprotein. When used according to the present invention, 741 protein may take various forms. Preferred forms of 741 are truncation or deletion variants, such as those disclosed in references 29 to 31. In particular, the N-terminus of 741 may be deleted up to and including its poly-glycine sequence (i.e. deletion of residues 1 to 72 for strain MC58 [SEQ ID NO:3 herein]), which is sometimes distinguished herein by the use of a ‘ΔG’ prefix. This deletion can enhance expression. The deletion also removes 741's lipidation site. Preferred 741 sequences have an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID NO:3; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids from SEQ ID NO:3, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) comprise an epitope from 741. Other preferred fragments lack one or more amino acids (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more) from the C-terminus and/or the N-terminus of SEQ ID NO:3. These sequences include 741 variants (e.g. allelic variants, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, mutants, etc.). Various 741 sequences can be found in SEQ IDs 1 to 22 of reference 31, in SEQ IDs 1 to 23 of reference 36, and in SEQ IDs 1-299 of reference 37.

Protein 741 is an extremely effective antigen for eliciting anti-meningococcal antibody responses, and it is expressed across all meningococcal serogroups. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the protein splits into two groups, and that one of these splits again to give three variants in total [38], and while serum raised against a given variant is bactericidal within the same variant group, it is not active against strains which express one of the other two variants i.e. there is intra-variant cross-protection, but not inter-variant cross-protection [36,38]. For maximum cross-strain efficacy, therefore, it is preferred that a composition should include more than one variant of protein 741. An exemplary sequence from each variant is given in SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11 and 12 herein, starting with a N-terminal cysteine residue to which lipid will be covalently attached in the native lipoprotein form. It is therefore preferred that the composition should include at least two of: (1) a first protein, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least a % sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:10 and/or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of a fragment of at least x contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:10; (2) a second protein, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least b % sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:11 and/or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of a fragment of at least y contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:11; and (3) a third protein, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least c % sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:12 and/or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of a fragment of at least z contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO:12. The value of a is at least 85 e.g. 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, or more. The value of b is at least 85 e.g. 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, or more. The value of c is at least 85 e.g. 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, or more. The values of a, b and c are not intrinsically related to each other. The value of x is at least 7 e.g. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 225, 250). The value of y is at least 7 e.g. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 225, 250). The value of z is at least 7 e.g. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 225, 250). The values of x, y and z are not intrinsically related to each other. It is preferred that any given 741 amino acid sequence will not fall into more than one of categories (1), (2) and (3). Any given 741 sequence will thus fall into only one of categories (1), (2) and (3). It is thus preferred that: protein (1) has less than i % sequence identity to protein (2); protein (1) has less than j % sequence identity to protein (3); and protein (2) has less than k % sequence identity to protein (3). The value of i is 60 or more (e.g. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, etc.) and is at most a. The value of j is 60 or more (e.g. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, etc.) and is at most b. The value of k is 60 or more (e.g. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, etc.) and is at most c. The values of i, j and k are not intrinsically related to each other.

‘936’ protein from serogroup B is disclosed in reference 25 (SEQ IDs 2883 & 2884) and as ‘NMB2091’ in reference 21 (see also GenBank accession number GI:7227353). The corresponding gene in serogroup A [35] has GenBank accession number 7379093. When used according to the present invention, 936 protein may take various forms. Preferred forms of 936 are truncation or deletion variants, such as those disclosed in references 29 to 31. In particular, the N-terminus leader peptide of 936 may be deleted (e.g. deletion of residues 1 to 23 for strain MC58, to give 936^((NL)) [SEQ ID NO:4 herein]). Preferred 936 sequences have an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID NO:4; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids from SEQ ID NO:4, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) comprise an epitope from 936. Other preferred fragments lack one or more amino acids (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more) from the C-terminus and/or the N-terminus of SEQ ID NO:4. These sequences include 936 variants (e.g. allelic variants, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, mutants, etc.).

‘953’ protein from serogroup B is disclosed in reference 25 (SEQ IDs 2917 & 2918) and as ‘NMB1030’ in reference 21 (see also GenBank accession number GI:7226269). The corresponding protein in serogroup A [35] has GenBank accession number 7380108. When used according to the present invention, 953 protein may take various forms. Preferred forms of 953 are truncation or deletion variants, such as those disclosed in references 29 to 31. In particular, the N-terminus leader peptide of 953 may be deleted (e.g. deletion of residues 1 to 19 for strain MC58, to give 953^((NL)) [SEQ ID NO:5 herein]. Preferred 953 sequences have an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID NO:5; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids from SEQ ID NO:5, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) comprise an epitope from 953. Other preferred fragments lack one or more amino acids (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more) from the C-terminus and/or the N-terminus of SEQ ID NO:5. These sequences include 936 variants (e.g. allelic variants, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, mutants, etc.). Allelic forms of 953 can be seen in FIG. 19 of reference 28.

‘287’ protein from serogroup B is disclosed in reference 25 (SEQ IDs 3103 & 3104), as ‘NMB2132’ in reference 21, and as ‘GNA2132’ in reference 22 (see also GenBank accession number GI:7227388). The corresponding protein in serogroup A [35] has GenBank accession number 7379057. When used according to the present invention, 287 protein may take various forms. Preferred forms of 287 are truncation or deletion variants, such as those disclosed in references 29 to 31. In particular, the N-terminus of 287 may be deleted up to and including its poly-glycine sequence (e.g. deletion of residues 1 to 24 for strain MC58, to give ΔG287 [SEQ ID NO:6 herein]. This deletion can enhance expression. Preferred 287 sequences have an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to SEQ ID NO:6; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids from SEQ ID NO:6, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) comprise an epitope from 287. Other preferred fragments lack one or more amino acids (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more) from the C-terminus and/or the N-terminus of SEQ ID NO:6. These sequences include 287 variants (e.g. allelic variants, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, mutants, etc.). Allelic forms of 287 can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 15 of reference 28, and in example 13 and FIG. 21 of reference 25 (SEQ IDs 3179 to 3184).

The five basic MenB antigens (NadA, 741, 953, 936 & 287) may be present in the composition as five separate proteins, but it is preferred that at least two of the antigens are expressed as a single polypeptide chain (a ‘hybrid’ protein [refs. 29 to 31]) i.e. such that the five antigens form fewer than five polypeptides. Hybrid proteins offer two principal advantages: first, a protein that may be unstable or poorly expressed on its own can be assisted by adding a suitable hybrid partner that overcomes the problem; second, commercial manufacture is simplified as only one expression and purification need be employed in order to produce two separately-useful proteins. A hybrid protein included in a composition of the invention may comprise two or more (i.e. 2, 3, 4 or 5) of the five basic antigens. Hybrids consisting of two of the five antigens are preferred.

Within the combination of five basic antigens, an antigen may be present in more than one hybrid protein and/or as a non-hybrid protein. It is preferred, however, that an antigen is present either as a hybrid or as a non-hybrid, but not as both, although it may be useful to include protein 741 both as a hybrid and a non-hybrid (preferably lipoprotein) antigen, particularly where more than one variant of 741 is used.

Hybrid proteins can be represented by the formula NH₂-A-[—X-L-]_(n)—B—COOH, wherein: X is an amino acid sequence of one of the five basic antigens; L is an optional linker amino acid sequence; A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence; B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence; and n is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

If a —X— moiety has a leader peptide sequence in its wild-type form, this may be included or omitted in the hybrid protein. In some embodiments, the leader peptides will be deleted except for that of the —X— moiety located at the N-terminus of the hybrid protein i.e. the leader peptide of X₁ will be retained, but the leader peptides of X₂ . . . X_(n) will be omitted. This is equivalent to deleting all leader peptides and using the leader peptide of X₁ as moiety -A-.

For each n instances of [—X-L-], linker amino acid sequence -L- may be present or absent. For instance, when n=2 the hybrid may be NH₂—X₁-L₁-X₂-L₂-COOH, NH₂—X₁—X₂—COOH, NH₂—X₁-L₁-X₂—COOH, NH₂—X₁—X₂-L₂-COOH, etc. Linker amino acid sequence(s) -L- will typically be short (e.g. 20 or fewer amino acids i.e. 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Examples comprise short peptide sequences which facilitate cloning, poly-glycine linkers (i.e. comprising Gly_(n) where n=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more), and histidine tags (i.e. His_(n) where n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more). Other suitable linker amino acid sequences will be apparent to those skilled in the art. A useful linker is GSGGGG (SEQ ID 9), with the Gly-Ser dipeptide being formed from a BamHI restriction site, thus aiding cloning and manipulation, and the (Gly)₄ tetrapeptide being a typical poly-glycine linker. If X_(n+1) is a ΔG protein and L_(n) is a glycine linker, this may be equivalent to X_(n+1) not being a ΔG protein and L_(n) being absent.

-A- is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence. This will typically be short (e.g. 40 or fewer amino acids i.e. 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Examples include leader sequences to direct protein trafficking, or short peptide sequences which facilitate cloning or purification (e.g. histidine tags i.e. His_(n) where n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more). Other suitable N-terminal amino acid sequences will be apparent to those skilled in the art. If X₁ lacks its own N-terminus methionine, -A- is preferably an oligopeptide (e.g. with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 amino acids) which provides a N-terminus methionine.

—B— is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence. This will typically be short (e.g. 40 or fewer amino acids i.e. 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Examples include sequences to direct protein trafficking, short peptide sequences which facilitate cloning or purification (e.g. comprising histidine tags i.e. His_(n) where n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more), or sequences which enhance protein stability. Other suitable C-terminal amino acid sequences will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Most preferably, n is 2. Two-antigen hybrids for use in the invention comprise: NadA & 741; NadA & 936; NadA & 953; NadA & 287; 741 & 936; 741 & 953; 741 & 287; 936 & 953; 936 & 287; 953 & 287. Two preferred proteins are: X₁ is a 936 and X₂ is a 741; X₁ is a 287 and X₂ is a 953.

Two particularly preferred hybrid proteins of the invention are as follows:

SEQ n A X₁ L₁ X₂ L₂ B ID NO: 2 MA ΔG287 GSGGGG (SEQ ID NO 9) 953^((NL)) — — 7 2 M 936^((NL)) GSGGGG (SEQ ID NO 9) ΔG741 — — 8

These two proteins may be used in combination with NadA (particularly with SEQ ID NO:2). Thus a preferred composition of MenB antigens for use with the invention thus includes a first polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2, a second polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:7 and a third polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:8. This is a preferred group of MenB antigens for use with the invention.

As mentioned above, compositions of the invention that include MenB antigens can preferably induce a serum bactericidal antibody response that is effective against two or three of MenB hypervirulent lineages A4, ET-5 and lineage 3. They may additionally induce bactericidal antibody responses against one or more of hypervirulent lineages subgroup I, subgroup III, subgroup Iv-1 or ET-37 complex, and against other lineages e.g. hyperinvasive lineages. These antibody responses are conveniently measured in mice and are a standard indicator of vaccine efficacy [e.g. see end-note 14 of reference 22]. Serum bactericidal activity (SBA) measures bacterial killing mediated by complement, and can be assayed using human or baby rabbit complement. WHO standards require a vaccine to induce at least a 4-fold rise in SBA in more than 90% of recipients.

The composition need not induce bactericidal antibodies against each and every MenB strain within these hypervirulent lineages; rather, for any given group of four of more strains of serogroup B meningococcus within a particular hypervirulent lineage, the antibodies induced by the composition are bactericidal against at least 50% (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more) of the group. Preferred groups of strains will include strains isolated in at least four of the following countries: GB, AU, CA, NO, IT, US, NZ, NL, BR, and CU. The serum preferably has a bactericidal titre of at least 1024 (e.g. 2¹⁰, 2¹¹, 2¹², 2¹³, 2¹⁴, 2¹⁵, 2¹⁶, 2¹⁷, 2¹⁸ or higher, preferably at least 2¹⁴) i.e. the serum is able to kill at least 50% of test bacteria of a particular strain when diluted 1/1024, as described in reference 22. Preferred compositions can induce bactericidal responses against the following strains of serogroup B meningococcus: (i) from cluster A4, strain 961-5945 (B:2b:P1.21,16) and/or strain G2136 (B:-); (ii) from ET-5 complex, strain MC58 (B:15:P1.7,16b) and/or strain 44/76 (B:15:P1.7,16); (iii) from lineage 3, strain 394/98 (B:4:P1.4) and/or strain BZ198 (B:NT:-). More preferred compositions can induce bactericidal responses against strains 961-5945, 44/76 and 394/98. Strains 961-5945 and G2136 are both Neisseria MLST reference strains [ids 638 & 1002 in ref. 39]. Strain MC58 is widely available (e.g. ATCC BAA-335) and was the strain sequenced in reference 21. Strain 44/76 has been widely used and characterised (e.g. ref. 40) and is one of the Neisseria MLST reference strains [id 237 in ref. 39; row 32 of Table 2 in ref. 41]. Strain 394/98 was originally isolated in New Zealand in 1998, and there have been several published studies using this strain (e.g. refs. 42 & 43). Strain BZ198 is another MLST reference strain [id 409 in ref. 39; row 41 of Table 2 in ref. 41]. The composition may additionally induce a bactericidal response against serogroup W135 strain LNP17592 (W135:2a:P1.5,2), from ET-37 complex. This is a Haji strain isolated in France in 2000.

Other MenB polypeptide antigens which may be included in compositions of the invention include those comprising one of the following amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NO:650 from ref. 23; SEQ ID NO:878 from ref. 23; SEQ ID NO:884 from ref. 23; SEQ ID NO:4 from ref. 24; SEQ ID NO:598 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:818 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:864 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:866 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:1196 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:1272 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:1274 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:1640 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:1788 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2288 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2466 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2554 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2576 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2606 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2608 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2616 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2668 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2780 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2932 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2958 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2970 from ref. 25; SEQ ID NO:2988 from ref. 25, or a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which: (a) has 50% or more identity (e.g. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more) to said sequences; and/or (b) comprises a fragment of at least n consecutive amino acids from said sequences, wherein n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250 or more). Preferred fragments for (b) comprise an epitope from the relevant sequence. More than one (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of these polypeptides may be included.

Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib)

Where the composition includes a H. influenzae type B antigen, it will typically be a Hib capsular saccharide antigen. Saccharide antigens from H. influenzae b are well known.

Advantageously, the Hib saccharide is covalently conjugated to a carrier protein, in order to enhance its immunogenicity, especially in children. The preparation of polysaccharide conjugates in general, and of the Hib capsular polysaccharide in particular, is well documented [e.g. references 44 to 52 etc.]. The invention may use any suitable Hib conjugate. Suitable carrier proteins are described below, and preferred carriers for Hib saccharides are CRM₁₉₇ (‘HbOC’), tetanus toxoid (‘PRP-T’) and the outer membrane complex of N. meningitidis (‘PRP-OMP’).

The saccharide moiety of the conjugate may be a polysaccharide (e.g. full-length polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP)), but it is preferred to hydrolyse polysaccharides to form oligosaccharides (e.g. MW from ˜1 to ˜5 kDa).

A preferred conjugate comprises a Hib oligosaccharide covalently linked to CRM₁₉₇ via an adipic acid linker [53, 54]. Tetanus toxoid is also a preferred carrier.

Administration of the Hib antigen preferably results in an anti-PRP antibody concentration of ≥0.15 μg/ml, and more preferably ≥1 μg/ml.

Compositions of the invention may comprise more than one Hib antigen.

Where a composition includes a Hib saccharide antigen, it is preferred that it does not also include an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant. If the composition includes an aluminium phosphate adjuvant then the Hib antigen may be adsorbed to the adjuvant [55] or it may be non-adsorbed [12]. Prevention of adsorption can be achieved by selecting the correct pH during antigen/adjuvant mixing, an adjuvant with an appropriate point of zero charge, and an appropriate order of mixing for the various different antigens in a composition [56].

Hib antigens may be lyophilised e.g. together with meningococcal antigens.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Where the composition includes a S. pneumoniae antigen, it will typically be a capsular saccharide antigen which is preferably conjugated to a carrier protein [e.g. refs. 57 to 59]. It is preferred to include saccharides from more than one serotype of S. pneumoniae. For example, mixtures of polysaccharides from 23 different serotype are widely used, as are conjugate vaccines with polysaccharides from between 5 and 11 different serotypes [60]. For example, PrevNar™ [61] contains antigens from seven serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) with each saccharide individually conjugated to CRM₁₉₇ by reductive amination, with 2 μg of each saccharide per 0.5 ml dose (4 μg of serotype 6B), and with conjugates adsorbed on an aluminium phosphate adjuvant. Compositions of the invention preferably include at least serotypes 6B, 14, 19F and 23F. Conjugates may be adsorbed onto an aluminium phosphate.

As an alternative to using saccharide antigens from pneumococcus, the composition may include one or more polypeptide antigens. Genome sequences for several strains of pneumococcus are available [62,63] and can be subjected to reverse vaccinology [64-67] to identify suitable polypeptide antigens [68,69]. For example, the composition may include one or more of the following antigens: PhtA, PhtD, PhtB, PhtE, SpsA, LytB, LytC, LytA, Sp125, Sp101, Sp128, Sp130 and Sp130, as defined in reference 70. The composition may include more than one (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14) of these antigens.

In some embodiments, the composition may include both saccharide and polypeptide antigens from pneumococcus. These may be used in simple admixture, or the pneumococcal saccharide antigen may be conjugated to a pneumococcal protein. Suitable carrier proteins for such embodiments include the antigens listed in the previous paragraph [70].

Pneumococcal antigens may be lyophilised e.g. together with meningococcal and/or Hib antigens.

Modified Serogroup a N. meningitidis Saccharides

Where a composition of the invention includes a MenA saccharide antigen, the antigen is preferably a modified saccharide in which one or more of the hydroxyl groups on the native saccharide has/have been replaced by a blocking group [19]. This modification improves resistance to hydrolysis, and means that the serogroup A antigen can be stored and used in a liquid formulation rather than requiring lyophilisation.

The number of monosaccharide units having blocking groups can vary. For example, all or substantially all the monosaccharide units may have blocking groups. Alternatively, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the monosaccharide units may have blocking groups. At least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 monosaccharide units may have blocking groups.

Likewise, the number of blocking groups on a monosaccharide unit may vary. For example, the number of blocking groups on a monosaccharide unit may be 1 or 2. The blocking group will generally be at the 4 position and/or 3-position of the monosaccharide units.

The terminal monosaccharide unit may or may not have a blocking group instead of its native hydroxyl. It is preferred to retain a free anomeric hydroxyl group on a terminal monosaccharide unit in order to provide a handle for further reactions (e.g. conjugation). Anomeric hydroxyl groups can be converted to amino groups (—NH₂ or —NH-E, where E is a nitrogen protecting group) by reductive amination (using, for example, NaBH₃CN/NH₄Cl), and can then be regenerated after other hydroxyl groups have been converted to blocking groups.

Blocking groups to replace hydroxyl groups may be directly accessible via a derivatizing reaction of the hydroxyl group i.e. by replacing the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group with another group. Suitable derivatives of hydroxyl groups which act as blocking groups are, for example, carbamates, sulfonates, carbonates, esters, ethers (e.g. silyl ethers or alkyl ethers) and acetals. Some specific examples of such blocking groups are allyl, Aloc, benzyl, BOM, t-butyl, trityl, TBS, TBDPS, TES, TMS, TIPS, PMB, MEM, MOM, MTM, THP, etc. Other blocking groups that are not directly accessible and which completely replace the hydroxyl group include C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₁₂ alkyl, C₅₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl, NR¹R² (R¹ and R² are defined in the following paragraph), H, F, Cl, Br, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CN, CF₃, CCl₃, etc. Preferred blocking groups are electron-withdrawing groups.

Preferred blocking groups are of the formula: —O—X—Y or —OR³ wherein: X is C(O), S(O) or SO₂; Y is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ aryl or C₅₋₁₂ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl, each of which may optionally be substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups independently selected from F, Cl, Br, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CN, CF₃ or CCl₃; or Y is NR¹R²; R¹ and R² are independently selected from H, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl; or R¹ and R² may be joined to form a C₃₋₁₂ saturated heterocyclic group; R³ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl or C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, each of which may optionally be substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups independently selected from F, Cl, Br, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CN, CF₃ or CCl₃; or R³ is C₅₋₁₂ aryl or C₅₋₁₂ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl, each of which may optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 groups selected from F, Cl, Br, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CN, CF₃ or CCl₃. When R³ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl or C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, it is typically substituted with 1, 2 or 3 groups as defined above. When R¹ and R² are joined to form a C₃₋₁₂ saturated heterocyclic group, it is meant that R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom form a saturated heterocyclic group containing any number of carbon atoms between 3 and 12 (e.g. C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆, C₇, C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂). The heterocyclic group may contain 1 or 2 heteroatoms (such as N, O or S) other than the nitrogen atom. Examples of C₃₋₁₂ saturated heterocyclic groups are pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, imidazolidinyl, azetidinyl and aziridinyl.

Blocking groups —O—X—Y and —OR³ can be prepared from —OH groups by standard derivatizing procedures, such as reaction of the hydroxyl group with an acyl halide, alkyl halide, sulfonyl halide, etc. Hence, the oxygen atom in —O—X—Y is preferably the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group, while the -X-Y group in —O—X—Y preferably replaces the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group.

Alternatively, the blocking groups may be accessible via a substitution reaction, such as a Mitsonobu-type substitution. These and other methods of preparing blocking groups from hydroxyl groups are well known.

More preferably, the blocking group is —OC(O)CF3 [71], or a carbamate group —OC(O)NR¹R², where R¹ and R² are independently selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl. More preferably, R¹ and R² are both methyl i.e. the blocking group is —OC(O)NMe₂. Carbamate blocking groups have a stabilizing effect on the glycosidic bond and may be prepared under mild conditions.

Preferred modified MenA saccharides contain n monosaccharide units, where at least h % of the monosaccharide units do not have —OH groups at both of positions 3 and 4. The value of h is 24 or more (e.g. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, 99 or 100) and is preferably 50 or more. The absent —OH groups are preferably blocking groups as defined above.

Other preferred modified MenA saccharides comprise monosaccharide units, wherein at least s of the monosaccharide units do not have —OH at the 3 position and do not have —OH at the 4 position. The value of s is at least 1 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90). The absent —OH groups are preferably blocking groups as defined above.

Suitable modified MenA saccharides for use with the invention have the formula:

wherein

-   -   n is an integer from 1 to 100 (preferably an integer from 15 to         25);     -   T is of the formula (A) or (B):

-   -   each Z group is independently selected from OH or a blocking         group as defined above; and     -   each Q group is independently selected from OH or a blocking         group as defined above;     -   Y is selected from OH or a blocking group as defined above;     -   E is H or a nitrogen protecting group;

and wherein more than about 7% (e.g. 8%, 9%, 10% or more) of the Q groups are blocking groups.

Each of the n+2 Z groups may be the same or different from each other. Likewise, each of the n+2 Q groups may be the same or different from each other. All the Z groups may be OH. Alternatively, at least 10%, 20, 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% of the Z groups may be OAc. Preferably, about 70% of the Z groups are OAc, with the remainder of the Z groups being OH or blocking groups as defined above. At least about 7% of Q groups are blocking groups. Preferably, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or even 100% of the Q groups are blocking groups.

Preferred compositions of the invention can be stored for 28 days at 37° C. and, after that period, less than f % of the initial total amount of conjugated MenA saccharide will be unconjugated, where f is 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 or lower.

Oligosaccharides

Capsular saccharides will generally be used in the form of oligosaccharides. These are conveniently formed by fragmentation of purified capsular polysaccharide (e.g. by hydrolysis), which will usually be followed by purification of the fragments of the desired size.

Fragmentation of polysaccharides is preferably performed to give a final average degree of polymerisation (DP) in the oligosaccharide of less than 30 (e.g. between 10 and 20, preferably around 10 for serogroup A; between 15 and 25 for serogroups W135 and Y, preferably around 15-20; between 12 and 22 for serogroup C; etc.). DP can conveniently be measured by ion exchange chromatography or by colorimetric assays [72].

Preferred MenC saccharide antigens are disclosed in reference 10, as used in Menjugate™.

If hydrolysis is performed, the hydrolysate will generally be sized in order to remove short-length oligosaccharides [73]. This can be achieved in various ways, such as ultrafiltration followed by ion-exchange chromatography. Oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerisation of less than or equal to about 6 are preferably removed for serogroup A, and those less than around 4 are preferably removed for serogroups W135 and Y.

Covalent Conjugation

Capsular saccharides in compositions of the invention will usually be conjugated to carrier protein(s). In general, conjugation enhances the immunogenicity of saccharides as it converts them from T-independent antigens to T-dependent antigens, thus allowing priming for immunological memory. Conjugation is particularly useful for paediatric vaccines [e.g. ref. 74] and is a well known technique [e.g. reviewed in refs. 44 to 52, etc.].

Preferred carrier proteins are bacterial toxins or toxoids, such as diphtheria toxoid or tetanus toxoid. The CRM₁₉₇ diphtheria toxoid [75-77] is particularly preferred. Other suitable carrier proteins include the N. meningitidis outer membrane protein [78], synthetic peptides [79,80], heat shock proteins [81,82], pertussis proteins [83, 84], cytokines [85], lymphokines [85], hormones [85], growth factors [85], artificial proteins comprising multiple human CD4⁺ T cell epitopes from various pathogen-derived antigens [86], protein D from H. influenzae [87,88], pneumococcal surface protein PspA [89], iron-uptake proteins [90], toxin A or B from C.difficile [91], etc. Preferred carriers are diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, H. influenzae protein D, and CRM₁₉₇.

Within a composition of the invention, it is possible to use more than one carrier protein e.g. to reduce the risk of carrier suppression. Thus different carrier proteins can be used for different serogroups e.g. serogroup A saccharides might be conjugated to CRM₁₉₇ while serogroup C saccharides might be conjugated to tetanus toxoid. It is also possible to use more than one carrier protein for a particular saccharide antigen e.g. serogroup A saccharides might be in two groups, with some conjugated to CRM₁₉₇ and others conjugated to tetanus toxoid. In general, however, it is preferred to use the same carrier protein for all saccharides.

A single carrier protein might carry more than one saccharide antigen [92]. For example, a single carrier protein might have conjugated to it saccharides from serogroups A and C. To achieve this goal, saccharides can be mixed prior to the conjugation reaction. In general, however, it is preferred to have separate conjugates for each serogroup.

Conjugates with a saccharide:protein ratio (w/w) of between 1:5 (i.e. excess protein) and 5:1 (i.e. excess saccharide) are preferred. Ratios between 1:2 and 5:1 are preferred, as are ratios between 1:1.25 and 1:2.5 are more preferred. Excess carrier protein may be preferred for MenA and MenC.

Conjugates may be used in conjunction with free carrier protein [93]. When a given carrier protein is present in both free and conjugated form in a composition of the invention, the unconjugated form is preferably no more than 5% of the total amount of the carrier protein in the composition as a whole, and more preferably present at less than 2% by weight.

Any suitable conjugation reaction can be used, with any suitable linker where necessary.

The saccharide will typically be activated or functionalised prior to conjugation. Activation may involve, for example, cyanylating reagents such as CDAP (e.g. 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate [94,95,etc.]). Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S—NHS, EDC, TSTU; see also the introduction to reference 50).

Linkages via a linker group may be made using any known procedure, for example, the procedures described in references 96 and 97. One type of linkage involves reductive amination of the polysaccharide, coupling the resulting amino group with one end of an adipic acid linker group, and then coupling a protein to the other end of the adipic acid linker group [48, 98, 99]. Other linkers include B-propionamido [100], nitrophenyl-ethylamine [101], haloacyl halides [102], glycosidic linkages [103], 6-aminocaproic acid [104], ADH [105], C₄ to C₁₂ moieties [106] etc. As an alternative to using a linker, direct linkage can be used. Direct linkages to the protein may comprise oxidation of the polysaccharide followed by reductive amination with the protein, as described in, for example, references 107 and 108.

A process involving the introduction of amino groups into the saccharide (e.g. by replacing terminal ═O groups with —NH₂) followed by derivatisation with an adipic diester (e.g. adipic acid N-hydroxysuccinimido diester) and reaction with carrier protein is preferred. Another preferred reaction uses CDAP activation with a protein D carrier e.g. for MenA or MenC.

After conjugation, free and conjugated saccharides can be separated. There are many suitable methods, including hydrophobic chromatography, tangential ultrafiltration, diafiltration etc. [see also refs. 109 & 110, etc.].

Where the composition of the invention includes a conjugated oligosaccharide, it is preferred that oligosaccharide preparation precedes conjugation.

Preparation of Compositions of the Invention

Compositions of the invention comprise capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis. The saccharides are preferably prepared separately (including any fragmentation, conjugation, etc.) and then admixed to give a composition of the invention.

Where the composition comprises capsular saccharide from serogroup A, however, it is preferred that the serogroup A saccharide is not combined with the other saccharide(s) until shortly before use, in order to minimise the potential for hydrolysis. This can conveniently be achieved by having the serogroup A component (typically together with appropriate excipients) in lyophilised form and the other serogroup component(s) in liquid form (also with appropriate excipients), with the liquid components being used to reconstitute the lyophilised MenA component when ready for use. Where an aluminium salt adjuvant is used, it is preferred to include the adjuvant in the vial containing the with the liquid vaccine, and to lyophilise the MenA component without adjuvant.

A composition of the invention may thus be prepared from a kit comprising: (a) capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup A, in lyophilised form; and (b) capsular saccharide(s) from one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3) of N. meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y, in liquid form. The invention also provides a method for preparing a composition of the invention, comprising mixing a lyophilised capsular saccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup A with capsular saccharide(s) from one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3) of N. meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y, wherein said one or more saccharides are in liquid form.

The invention also provides a composition of the invention, comprising capsular saccharide(s) from N. meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y, wherein saccharides are in liquid form. This composition may be packaged with a lyophilised serogroup A saccharide antigen, for reconstitution, or it may be used as a composition on its own e.g. where immunisation against serogroup A is not desired.

The invention also provides a kit comprising: (a) a first container containing capsular saccharides from two or more of N. meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y, all in lyophilised form; and (b) a second container containing, in liquid form, (i) capsular saccharides from none or one of N. meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y, and optionally (ii) further antigens (see below) that do not include meningococcal capsular saccharides, wherein, reconstitution of the contents of container (a) by the contents of container (b) provides a composition of the invention.

Presentation of Compositions of the Invention

Compositions of the invention may be presented and packaged in various ways.

The compositions may be presented in vials, or they may be presented in ready-filled syringes. The syringes may be supplied with or without needles. A syringe will include a single dose of the composition, whereas a vial may include a single dose or multiple doses. Injectable compositions will usually be liquid solutions or suspensions. Alternatively, they may be presented in solid form (e.g. freeze-dried) for solution or suspension in liquid vehicles prior to injection.

Compositions of the invention may be packaged in unit dose form or in multiple dose form. For multiple dose forms, vials are preferred to pre-filled syringes. Effective dosage volumes can be routinely established, but a typical human dose of the composition for injection has a volume of 0.5 ml.

Where a composition of the invention is to be prepared extemporaneously prior to use (e.g. where serogroup A saccharide is presented in lyophilised form) and is presented as a kit, the kit may comprise two vials, or it may comprise one ready-filled syringe and one vial, with the contents of the syringe being used to reactivate the contents of the vial prior to injection.

Within each dose, the amount of an individual saccharide antigen will generally be between 1-50 μg (measured as mass of saccharide), with about 2.5 μg, 5 μg or 10 μg of each being preferred. With A:C:W135:Y weight ratios of 1:1:1:1; 1:1:1:2; 2:1:1:1; 4:2:1:1; 8:4:2:1; 4:2:1:2; 8:4:1:2; 4:2:2:1; 2:2:1:1; 4:4:2:1; 2:2:1:2; 4:4:1:2; and 2:2:2:1, therefore, the amount represented by the FIG. 1 is preferably about 2.5 μg, 5 μg or 10 μg. For a 1:1:1:1 ratio A:C:W:Y composition and a 10 μg per saccharide, therefore, 40 μg saccharide is administered per dose. Preferred compositions have about the following μg saccharide per dose:

A 10 0 0 0 10 5 2.5 C 10 10 5 2.5 5 5 2.5 W135 10 10 5 2.5 5 5 2.5 Y 10 10 5 2.5 5 5 2.5

Preferred compositions of the invention comprise less than 50 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose. Other preferred compositions comprise ≤40 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose. Other preferred compositions comprise ≤30 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose. Other preferred compositions comprise ≤25 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose. Other preferred compositions comprise ≤20 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose. Other preferred compositions comprise ≤10 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose but, ideally, compositions of the invention comprise at least 10 μg meningococcal saccharide per dose.

Compositions of the invention are preferably sterile. They are preferably pyrogen-free. They are preferably buffered e.g. at between pH 6 and pH 8, generally around pH 7. Where a composition comprises an aluminium hydroxide salt, it is preferred to use a histidine buffer [111]. Compositions of the invention may be isotonic with respect to humans.

Adjuvants

The compositions will generally include one or more adjuvants. The adjuvant(s) may be added to saccharides before and/or after they are admixed to form a composition of the invention, but it is preferred to combine adjuvant with a saccharide antigen prior to admixing of different saccharides.

However, it is not necessary that each saccharide must be adjuvanted prior to such admixing. Excess adjuvant can be included in one saccharide preparation such that, when further unadjuvanted saccharide antigen(s) is/are added, the excess is diluted to a desired final concentration. In one particular embodiment, where the composition of the invention is prepared from a lyophilised antigen (e.g. a lyophilised serogroup A component) it may be preferred not to include an adjuvant in the lyophilised material.

Preferred adjuvants for inclusion in compositions of the invention are aluminium salts (alum), such as aluminium hydroxides (including oxyhydroxides), aluminium phosphates (including hydroxyphosphates), aluminium sulfate, etc [Chapters 8 & 9 in ref. 112]. Aluminium hydroxyphosphate is particularly preferred, particularly in compositions which include a H. influenzae saccharide antigen, and a typical adjuvant is amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate with PO₄/Al molar ratio between 0.84 and 0.92, included at 0.6 mg Al³⁺/ml. Adsorption with a low dose of aluminium phosphate may be used e.g. between 50 and 100 μg Al³⁺ per conjugate per dose. Where there is more than one conjugate in a composition, not all conjugates need to be adsorbed. The Menjugate™ and NeisVac™ MenC conjugates use a hydroxide adjuvant, whereas Meningitec™ uses a phosphate.

Calcium phosphate is another preferred adjuvant.

Other adjuvants which may be used in addition to or in place of aluminium salts include:

A. Mineral-Containing Compositions

Mineral containing compositions suitable for use as adjuvants in the invention include mineral salts, such as aluminium salts and calcium salts. The invention includes mineral salts such as hydroxides (e.g. oxyhydroxides), phosphates (e.g. hydroxyphosphates, orthophosphates), sulphates, etc. [e.g. see chapters 8 & 9 of ref. 112], or mixtures of different mineral compounds, with the compounds taking any suitable form (e.g. gel, crystalline, amorphous, etc.), and with adsorption being preferred. The mineral containing compositions may also be formulated as a particle of metal salt [113].

B. Oil Emulsions

Oil emulsion compositions suitable for use as adjuvants in the invention include squalene-water emulsions, such as MF59™ [Chapter 10 of ref. 112; see also ref. 114] (5% Squalene, 0.5% TWEEN80™ and 0.5% SPAN 85™, formulated into submicron particles using a microfluidizer). Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) may also be used.

C. Saponin Formulations [Chapter 22 of Ref 112]

Saponin formulations may also be used as adjuvants in the invention. Saponins are a heterologous group of sterol glycosides and triterpenoid glycosides that are found in the bark, leaves, stems, roots and even flowers of a wide range of plant species. Saponin from the bark of the Quillaia saponaria Molina tree have been widely studied as adjuvants. Saponin can also be commercially obtained from Smilax ornata (sarsaprilla), Gypsophilla paniculata (brides veil), and Saponaria officianalis (soap root). Saponin adjuvant formulations include purified formulations, such as QS21, as well as lipid formulations, such as ISCOMs. QS21 is marketed as Stimulon™.

Saponin compositions have been purified using HPLC and RP-HPLC. Specific purified fractions using these techniques have been identified, including QS7, QS17, QS18, QS21, QH-A, QH-B and QH-C. Preferably, the saponin is QS21. A method of production of QS21 is disclosed in ref. 114. Saponin formulations may also comprise a sterol, such as cholesterol [115].

Combinations of saponins and cholesterols can be used to form unique particles called immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) [chapter 23 of ref. 112]. ISCOMs typically also include a phospholipid such as phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine. Any known saponin can be used in ISCOMs. Preferably, the ISCOM includes one or more of QuilA, QHA and QHC. ISCOMs are further described in refs. 115-117. Optionally, the ISCOMS may be devoid of additional detergent [118].

A review of the development of saponin based adjuvants can be found in refs. 119 & 120.

D. Virosomes and Virus-Like Particles

Virosomes and virus-like particles (VLPs) can also be used as adjuvants in the invention. These structures generally contain one or more proteins from a virus optionally combined or formulated with a phospholipid. They are generally non-pathogenic, non-replicating and generally do not contain any of the native viral genome. The viral proteins may be recombinantly produced or isolated from whole viruses. These viral proteins suitable for use in virosomes or VLPs include proteins derived from influenza virus (such as HA or NA), Hepatitis B virus (such as core or capsid proteins), Hepatitis E virus, measles virus, Sindbis virus, Rotavirus, Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus, Retrovirus, Norwalk virus, human Papilloma virus, HIV, RNA-phages, QB-phage (such as coat proteins), GA-phage, fr-phage, AP205 phage, and Ty (such as retrotransposon Ty protein p1). VLPs are discussed further in refs. 121-126. Virosomes are discussed further in, for example, ref. 127

E. Bacterial or Microbial Derivatives

Adjuvants suitable for use in the invention include bacterial or microbial derivatives such as non-toxic derivatives of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Lipid A derivatives, immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and ADP-ribosylating toxins and detoxified derivatives thereof.

Non-toxic derivatives of LPS include monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and 3-O-deacylated MPL (3dMPL). 3dMPL is a mixture of 3 de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A with 4, 5 or 6 acylated chains. A preferred “small particle” form of 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A is disclosed in ref. 128. Such “small particles” of 3dMPL are small enough to be sterile filtered through a 0.22 μm membrane [128]. Other non-toxic LPS derivatives include monophosphoryl lipid A mimics, such as aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphate derivatives e.g. RC-529 [129,130].

Lipid A derivatives include derivatives of lipid A from Escherichia coli such as OM-174. OM-174 is described for example in refs. 131 & 132.

Immunostimulatory oligonucleotides suitable for use as adjuvants in the invention include nucleotide sequences containing a CpG motif (a dinucleotide sequence containing an unmethylated cytosine linked by a phosphate bond to a guanosine). Double-stranded RNAs and oligonucleotides containing palindromic or poly(dG) sequences have also been shown to be immunostimulatory.

The CpG's can include nucleotide modifications/analogs such as phosphorothioate modifications and can be double-stranded or single-stranded. References 133, 134 and 135 disclose possible analog substitutions e.g. replacement of guanosine with 2′-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine. The adjuvant effect of CpG oligonucleotides is further discussed in refs. 136-141.

The CpG sequence may be directed to TLR9, such as the motif GTCGTT or TTCGTT [142]. The CpG sequence may be specific for inducing a Thl immune response, such as a CpG-A ODN, or it may be more specific for inducing a B cell response, such a CpG-B ODN. CpG-A and CpG-B ODNs are discussed in refs. 143-145. Preferably, the CpG is a CpG-A ODN.

Preferably, the CpG oligonucleotide is constructed so that the 5′ end is accessible for receptor recognition. Optionally, two CpG oligonucleotide sequences may be attached at their 3′ ends to form “immunomers”. See, for example, refs. 142 & 146-148.

Bacterial ADP-ribosylating toxins and detoxified derivatives thereof may be used as adjuvants in the invention. Preferably, the protein is derived from E. coli (E. coli heat labile enterotoxin “LT”), cholera (“CT”), or pertussis (“PT”). The use of detoxified ADP-ribosylating toxins as mucosal adjuvants is described in ref. 149 and as parenteral adjuvants in ref. 150. The toxin or toxoid is preferably in the form of a holotoxin, comprising both A and B subunits. Preferably, the A subunit contains a detoxifying mutation; preferably the B subunit is not mutated. Preferably, the adjuvant is a detoxified LT mutant such as LT-K63, LT-R72, and LT-G192. The use of ADP-ribosylating toxins and detoxified derivatives thereof, particularly LT-K63 and LT-R72, as adjuvants can be found in refs. 151-158. Numerical reference for amino acid substitutions is preferably based on the alignments of the A and B subunits of ADP-ribosylating toxins set forth in ref. 159, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

F. Human Immunomodulators

Human immunomodulators suitable for use as adjuvants in the invention include cytokines, such as interleukins (e.g. IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12 [160], etc.) [161], interferons (e.g. interferon-y), macrophage colony stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor.

G. Bioadhesives and Mucoadhesives

Bioadhesives and mucoadhesives may also be used as adjuvants in the invention. Suitable bioadhesives include esterified hyaluronic acid microspheres [162] or mucoadhesives such as cross-linked derivatives of poly(acrylic acid), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrollidone, polysaccharides and carboxymethylcellulose. Chitosan and derivatives thereof may also be used as adjuvants in the invention [163].

H. Microparticles Microparticles may also be used as adjuvants in the invention. Microparticles (i.e. a particle of ˜100 nm to ˜150 μm in diameter, more preferably ˜200 nm to ˜30 μm in diameter, and most preferably ˜500 nm to ˜10 μm in diameter) formed from materials that are biodegradable and non-toxic (e.g. a poly(a-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxybutyric acid, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, a polycaprolactone, etc.), with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) are preferred, optionally treated to have a negatively-charged surface (e.g. with SDS) or a positively-charged surface (e.g. with a cationic detergent, such as CTAB).

I. Liposomes (Chapters 13 & 14 of Ref 112)

Examples of liposome formulations suitable for use as adjuvants are described in refs. 164-166.

J. Polyoxyethylene Ether and Polyoxyethylene Ester Formulations

Adjuvants suitable for use in the invention include polyoxyethylene ethers and polyoxyethylene esters [167]. Such formulations further include polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester surfactants in combination with an octoxynol [168] as well as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or ester surfactants in combination with at least one additional non-ionic surfactant such as an octoxynol [169]. Preferred polyoxyethylene ethers are selected from the following group: polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (laureth 9), polyoxyethylene-9-steoryl ether, polyoxytheylene-8-steoryl ether, polyoxyethylene-4-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene-35-lauryl ether, and polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl ether.

K. Polyphosphazene (PCPP)

PCPP formulations are described, for example, in refs. 170 and 171.

L. Muramyl Peptides

Examples of muramyl peptides suitable for use as adjuvants in the invention include N-acetyl-muramyl-L-threonyl-D-isoglutamine (thr-MDP), N-acetyl-normuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (nor-MDP), and N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-alanine-2-(1′-2′-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-hydroxyphosphoryloxy)-ethylamine MTP-PE).

M. Imidazoquinolone Compounds.

Examples of imidazoquinolone compounds suitable for use adjuvants in the invention include Imiquamod and its homologues (e.g. “Resiquimod 3M”), described further in refs. 172 and 173.

The invention may also comprise combinations one or more of the adjuvants identified above. For example, the following adjuvant compositions may be used in the invention: (1) a saponin and an oil-in-water emulsion [175]; (2) a saponin (e.g. QS21)+a non-toxic LPS derivative (e.g. 3dMPL) [176]; (3) a saponin (e.g. QS21)+a non-toxic LPS derivative (e.g. 3dMPL)+a cholesterol; (4) a saponin (e.g. QS21)+3dMPL+IL-12 (optionally+a sterol) [177]; (5) combinations of 3dMPL with, for example, QS21 and/or oil-in-water emulsions [178]; (6) SAF, containing 10% squalane, 0.4% TWEEN 80™, 5% pluronic-block polymer L121, and thr-MDP, either microfluidized into a submicron emulsion or vortexed to generate a larger particle size emulsion. (7) RIBI™) adjuvant system (RAS), (Ribi Immunochem) containing 2% squalene, 0.2% TWEEN 80™, and one or more bacterial cell wall components from the group consisting of monophosphorylipid A (MPL), trehalose dimycolate (TDM), and cell wall skeleton (CWS), preferably MPL+CWS (DETOX™); and (8) one or more mineral salts (such as an aluminum salt)+a non-toxic derivative of LPS (such as 3dMPL).Other substances that act as immunostimulating agents are disclosed in chapter 7 of ref. 112.

Where an aluminium phosphate it used, it is possible to adsorb one or more of the saccharides to the aluminium salt, but it is preferred not to do so, and this is favoured by including free phosphate ions in solution (e.g. by the use of a phosphate buffer). Where an aluminium hydroxide is used, it is preferred to adsorb the saccharides to the salt. The use of aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant may be preferred for saccharide from serogroup A.

It is possible in compositions of the invention to adsorb some antigens to an aluminium hydroxide but to have other antigens in association with an aluminium phosphate. For tetravalent N. meningitidis serogroup combinations, for example, the following permutations are available:

Serogroup Aluminium salt (H = a hydroxide; P = a phosphate) A P H P H H H P P P H H H P P P H C P H H P H H P H H P P H P H P P W135 P H H H P H H P H H P P P P H P Y P H H H H P H H P P H P H P P P

For trivalent N. meningitidis serogroup combinations, the following permutations are available:

Serogroup Aluminium salt (H = a hydroxide; P = a phosphate) C P H H H P P P H W135 P H H P H P H P Y P H P H H H P P

Further Components of the Compositions

In addition to antigens described above, compositions of the invention may include meningococcal protein antigens.

Non-meningococcal and non-neisserial antigens, preferably ones that do not diminish the immune response against the meningococcal components, may also be included. Ref. 174, for instance, discloses combinations of oligosaccharides from N. meningitidis serogroups B and C together with the Hib saccharide. Antigens from pneumococcus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, B.pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and/or H. influenzae are preferred. Particularly preferred antigens include:

-   -   a diphtheria antigen, such as a diphtheria toxoid [e.g. chapter         3 of ref. 175].     -   a tetanus antigen, such as a tetanus toxoid [e.g. chapter 4 of         ref. 175].     -   pertussis holotoxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA)         from B.pertussis, optionally also in combination with pertactin         and/or agglutinogens 2 and 3 [e.g. refs. 176 & 177].     -   cellular pertussis antigen.     -   an antigen from hepatitis A virus, such as inactivated virus         [e.g. 178, 179].     -   an antigen from hepatitis B virus, such as the surface and/or         core antigens [e.g. 179, 180], with surface antigen preferably         being adsorbed onto an aluminium phosphate [181].     -   Preparations of N. meningitidis serogroup B microvesicles [182],         ‘native OMVs’ [183], blebs or outer membrane vesicles [e.g.         refs. 184 to 185 186 187 188 189 etc.]. These may be prepared         from bacteria which have been genetically manipulated [190-191         192 193] e.g. to increase immunogenicity (e.g. hyper-express         immunogens), to reduce toxicity, to inhibit capsular         polysaccharide synthesis, to down-regulate PorA expression, etc.         They may be prepared from hyperblebbing strains [194-195 196         197]. Vesicles from a non-pathogenic Neisseria may be included         [198]. OMVs may be prepared without the use of detergents         [199,200]. They may express non-Neisserial proteins on their         surface [201]. They may be LPS-depleted. They may be mixed with         recombinant antigens [184,202]. Vesicles from bacteria with         different class I outer membrane protein subtypes may be used         e.g. six different subtypes [203,204] using two different         genetically-engineered vesicle populations each displaying three         subtypes, or nine different subtypes using three different         genetically-engineered vesicle populations each displaying three         subtypes, etc. Useful subtypes include: P1.7,16; P1.5-1,2-2;         P1.19,15-1; P1.5-2,10; P1.12-1,13; P1.7-2,4; P1.22,14; P1.7-1,1;         P1.18-1,3,6.     -   polio antigen(s) [e.g. 205, 206] such as IPV.

The mixture may comprise one or more of these further antigens, which may be detoxified where necessary (e.g. detoxification of pertussis toxin by chemical and/or genetic means).

Where a diphtheria antigen is included in the mixture it is preferred also to include tetanus antigen and pertussis antigens. Similarly, where a tetanus antigen is included it is preferred also to include diphtheria and pertussis antigens. Similarly, where a pertussis antigen is included it is preferred also to include diphtheria and tetanus antigens. Such DTP combinations can be used to reconstitute lyophilised conjugates.

Antigens in the mixture will typically be present at a concentration of at least 1 μg/ml each. In general, the concentration of any given antigen will be sufficient to elicit an immune response against that antigen.

As an alternative to using proteins antigens in the mixture, nucleic acid encoding the antigen may be used. Protein components of the mixture may thus be replaced by nucleic acid (preferably DNA e.g. in the form of a plasmid) that encodes the protein. Similarly, compositions of the invention may comprise proteins which mimic saccharide antigens e.g. mimotopes [207] or anti-idiotype antibodies. These may replace individual saccharine components, or may supplement them. As an example, the vaccine may comprise a peptide mimic of the MenC [208] or the MenA [209] capsular polysaccharide in place of the saccharide itself.

Compositions of the invention may include an antimicrobial, particularly when packaged in multiple dose format.

Compositions of the invention may comprise detergent (e.g. a TWEEN™ (polysorbate), such as TWEEN80™) at low levels (e.g. <0.01%).

Compositions of the invention may include sodium salts (e.g. sodium chloride) to give tonicity. A concentration of 10±2 mg/ml NaCl is typical.

Compositions of the invention will generally include a buffer. A phosphate buffer is typical.

Compositions of the invention may comprise a sugar alcohol (e.g. mannitol) or a disaccharide (e.g. sucrose [210] or trehalose [211]) e.g. at around 15-30 mg/ml (e.g. 25 mg/ml), particularly if they are to be lyophilised or if they include material which has been reconstituted from lyophilised material. The pH of a composition for lyophilisation may be adjusted to around 6.1 prior to lyophilisation.

The invention provides a composition comprising conjugated capsular saccharides from at least three of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis, wherein the composition comprises sucrose. The saccharides are preferably oligosaccharides. The composition may contain ≤50 μg total meningococcal saccharide per dose (e.g. ≤40 μg, ≤30 μg, ≤20 μg, ≤10 μg). Preferred compositions include: serogroups A, C, W135; serogroups A, C, Y; serogroups C, W135, Y; and all four of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y. Modified MenA saccharide may be used. The composition may be in aqueous or dried (e.g. lyophilised) form. When in aqueous form, the concentration of sucrose is preferably between 5-50 mg/ml e.g. about 25 mg/ml. When in lyophilised form, it is preferred that the composition does not include an aluminium salt adjuvant. The composition may additionally comprise an antigen from one or more of: (a) serogroup B N. meningitidis; (b) Haemophilus influenzae type B; and/or (c) Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Immunogenicity

Compositions of the invention are immunogenic. Preferred immunogenic compositions are vaccines. Vaccines according to the invention may either be prophylactic (i.e. to prevent infection) or therapeutic (i.e. to treat disease after infection), but will typically be prophylactic.

Immunogenic compositions and vaccines of the invention will, in addition to the antigens described above, typically comprise ‘pharmaceutically acceptable carriers’, which include any carrier that does not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition. Suitable carriers are typically large, slowly metabolised macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polymeric amino acids, amino acid copolymers, sucrose, trehalose [211], lactose, lipid aggregates (such as oil droplets or liposomes), and inactive virus particles. Such carriers are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The vaccines may also contain diluents, such as water, saline, glycerol, etc. Additionally, auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering substances, and the like, may be present. Sterile pyrogen-free, phosphate-buffered physiologic saline is a typical carrier. A thorough discussion of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients is available in ref. 212.

Immunogenic compositions used as vaccines comprise an immunologically effective amount of each antigen, as well as any other of the above-mentioned components, as needed. By ‘immunologically effective amount’, it is meant that the administration of that amount to an individual, either in a single dose or as part of a series, is effective for treatment or prevention. This amount varies depending upon the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, age, the taxonomic group to be treated (e.g. non-human primate, human, etc.), the capacity of the individual's immune system to synthesise antibodies, the degree of protection desired, the formulation of the vaccine, the treating doctor's assessment of the medical situation, and other relevant factors. The amount falls in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine trials, and a typical quantity of each meningococcal saccharide antigen per dose is between 1 μg and 20 μg e.g. about 1 μg, about 2.5 μg, about 4 μg, about 5 μg, or about 10 μg (expressed as saccharide).

Immunogenicity of compositions of the invention can be determined by administering them to test subjects (e.g. children 12-16 months age, or animal models [213]) and then determining standard parameters including serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA) and ELISA titres (GMT) of total and high-avidity anti-capsule IgG. These immune responses will generally be determined around 4 weeks after administration of the composition, and compared to values determined before administration of the composition. A SBA increase of at least 4-fold or 8-fold is preferred. Where more than one dose of the composition is administered, more than one post-administration determination may be made.

Preferred compositions of the invention can confer an antibody titre in a patient that is superior to the criterion for seroprotection for each antigenic component for an acceptable percentage of human subjects. Antigens with an associated antibody titre above which a host is considered to be seroconverted against the antigen are well known, and such titres are published by organisations such as WHO. Preferably more than 80% of a statistically significant sample of subjects is seroconverted, more preferably more than 90%, still more preferably more than 93% and most preferably 96-100%.

Administration of Compositions of the Invention

Compositions of the invention are injectable.

Parenteral injection may be subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous or intramuscular. Intramuscular administration to the thigh or the upper arm is preferred. Injection may be via a needle (e.g. a hypodermic needle), but needle-free injection may alternatively be used. A typical intramuscular dose value is 0.5 ml.

Administration may be a single dose schedule or a multiple dose schedule. Multiple doses may be used in a primary immunisation schedule and/or in a booster immunisation schedule. A primary dose schedule may be followed by a booster dose schedule. Suitable timing between priming doses (e.g. between 4-16 weeks), and between priming and boosting, can be routinely determined.

Administration will generally be to an animal and, in particular, human subjects can be treated. The compositions are particularly useful for vaccinating children and teenagers.

Medical Methods and Uses

The invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a patient, comprising injecting a patient with a composition of the invention. The immune response is preferably protective against meningococcal disease, and may comprise a humoral immune response and/or a cellular immune response. The patient is preferably a child.

The method may raise a booster response, in a patient that has already been primed against N. meningitidis.

The invention also provides the use of (i) capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis wherein said capsular saccharides are conjugated to carrier protein(s) and/or are oligosaccharides, and (ii) an antigen from one or more of: (a) serogroup B N. meningitidis; (b) Haemophilus influenzae type B; and/or (c) Streptococcus pneumoniae, in the manufacture of a injectable medicament for raising an immune response in an animal. The medicament is preferably for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial meningitis.

One way of checking efficacy of therapeutic treatment involves monitoring bacterial infection after administration of the composition of the invention. One way of checking efficacy of prophylactic treatment involves monitoring immune responses against the administered antigens after administration of the composition.

Heterologous Host

Whilst expression of polypeptides for use in compositions of the invention may take place in the native host (e.g. in a N. meningitidis or S. pneumoniae), a heterologous host is preferably used. The heterologous host may be prokaryotic (e.g. a bacterium) or eukaryotic. It is preferably E. coli, but other suitable hosts include Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Neisseria lactamica, Neisseria cinerea, Mycobacteria (e.g. M. tuberculosis), yeast, etc.

General

The term “comprising” means “including” as well as “consisting” e.g. a composition “comprising” X may consist exclusively of X or may include something additional e.g. X+Y.

The term “about” in relation to a numerical value x means, for example, x±10%.

The word “substantially” does not exclude “completely” e.g. a composition which is “substantially free” from Y may be completely free from Y. Where necessary, the word “substantially” may be omitted from the definition of the invention.

Bacterial strains may be indicated as a subscript e.g. 741_(MC58) is protein 741 from strain MC58. Unless otherwise stated, proteins mentioned herein (e.g. with no subscript) are from N. meningitidis strain 2996, which can be taken as a ‘reference’ strain. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not in general limited by strain. As mentioned above, general references to a protein (e.g. ‘287’, ‘919’ etc.) may be taken to include that protein from any strain. This will typically have sequence identity to 2996 of 90% or more (eg. 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more). Where hybrid proteins are used, the individual antigens within the hybrid (i.e. individual —X— moieties) may be from one or more strains. Where n=2, for instance, X₂ may be from the same strain as X₁ or from a different strain. Where n=3, the strains might be (i) X₁=X₂=X₃ (ii) X₁=X₂A3 (iii) X₁≠X₂=X₃ (iv) X₁≠X₂≠X₃ or (v) X₁=X₃≠X₂, etc.

The term “alkyl” refers to alkyl groups in both straight and branched forms, The alkyl group may be interrupted with 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from —O—, —NH— or —S—. The alkyl group may also be interrupted with 1, 2 or 3 double and/or triple bonds. However, the term “alkyl” usually refers to alkyl groups having no heteroatom interruptions or double or triple bond interruptions. Where reference is made to C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, it is meant the alkyl group may contain any number of carbon atoms between 1 and 12 (e.g. C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆, C₇, C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂). Similarly, where reference is made to C₁₋₆ alkyl, it is meant the alkyl group may contain any number of carbon atoms between 1 and 6 (e.g. C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆).

The term “cycloalkyl” includes cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, and cycloalkenyl groups, as well as combinations of these with alkyl groups, such as cycloalkylalkyl groups. The cycloalkyl group may be interrupted with 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from —O—, —NH— or —S—. However, the term “cycloalkyl” usually refers to cycloalkyl groups having no heteroatom interruptions Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexylmethyl and adamantyl groups. Where reference is made to C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, it is meant that the cycloalkyl group may contain any number of carbon atoms between 3 and 12 (e.g. C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆, C₇, C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂).

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic group, such as phenyl or naphthyl. Where reference is made to C₅₋₁₂ aryl, it is meant that the aryl group may contain any number of carbon atoms between 5 and 12 (e.g. C₅, C₆, C₇, C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂).

The term “C₅₋₁₂ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl” refers to groups such as benzyl, phenylethyl and naphthylmethyl.

Nitrogen protecting groups include silyl groups (such as TMS, TES, TBS, TIPS), acyl derivatives (such as phthalimides, trifluoroacetamides, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Z or Cbz), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy carbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl (Troc)), sulfonyl derivatives (such as β-trimethylsilylethanesulfonyl (SES)), sulfenyl derivatives, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, benzyl, benzhydryl, trityl, 9-phenylfluorenyl etc. A preferred nitrogen protecting group is Fmoc.

It will be appreciated that sugar rings can exist in open and closed form and that, whilst closed forms are shown in structural formulae herein, open forms are also encompassed by the invention.

Sequences included to facilitate cloning or purification, etc., do not necessarily contribute to the invention and may be omitted or removed.

Polypeptides of the invention can be prepared by various means (e.g. recombinant expression, purification from cell culture, chemical synthesis (at least in part), etc.) and in various forms (e.g. native, fusions, non-glycosylated, lipidated, etc.). They are preferably prepared in substantially pure form (i.e. substantially free from other N. meningitidis or host cell proteins).

Nucleic acid according to the invention can be prepared in many ways (e.g. by chemical synthesis (at least in part), from genomic or cDNA libraries, from the organism itself, etc.) and can take various forms (e.g. single stranded, double stranded, vectors, probes, etc.). They are preferably prepared in substantially pure form (i.e. substantially free from other N. meningitidis or host cell nucleic acids). The term “nucleic acid” includes DNA and RNA, and also their analogues, such as those containing modified backbones (e.g. phosphorothioates, etc.), and also peptide nucleic acids (PNA) etc. The invention includes nucleic acid comprising sequences complementary to those described above (eg. for antisense or probing purposes).

After serogroup, meningococcal classification includes serotype, serosubtype and then immunotype, and the standard nomenclature lists serogroup, serotype, serosubtype, and immunotype, each separated by a colon e.g. B:4:P1.15:L3,7,9. Within serogroup B, some lineages cause disease often (hyperinvasive), some lineages cause more severe forms of disease than others (hypervirulent), and others rarely cause disease at all. Seven hypervirulent lineages are recognised, namely subgroups I, III and IV-1, ET-5 complex, ET-37 complex, A4 cluster and lineage 3. These have been defined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), but multilocus sequence typing (MLST) has also been used to classify meningococci [ref. 41].

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

1. Meningococcal Saccharide Compositions for Human Intramuscular Administration

Oligosaccharide conjugates from MenC, MenW135, MenY and, optionally, MenA were prepared as disclosed in reference 7. These were used to prepare individual 0.5 ml doses of the following six compositions (amounts per 0.5 ml dose):

Component A* B C* D* E* F Serogroup A oligosaccharide- μg 10 0 10 5 2.5 0 CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Serogroup C oligosaccharide- μg 10 10 5 5 2.5 10 CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Serogroup W135 oligosaccharide- μg 10 10 5 5 2.5 0 CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Serogroup Y oligosaccharide- μg 10 10 5 5 2.5 0 CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Aluminium phosphate adjuvant mg 0.3 Sodium chloride mg 4.5 Mannitol mg 7.5 Sodium phosphate monobasic (pH 7.6) mg 0.69 Potassium dihydrogen phosphate mg 0.34 Tween ™ 80 mg 0.025 *The serogroup A component was in lyophilised form and was diluted with a CWY liquid composition to give the final ACWY composition.

These vaccines are administered by intramuscular injection in the thigh region to toddlers aged 12-16 months, either in a single dose (which is effective for Menjugate™ in children >12 months) or with a second injection 4 weeks later. Serum BCA and IgG can be compared pre-vaccination and post-vaccination (e.g at 4 weeks, and then at 8 weeks if two doses are received).

2. Two-Vial Composition

Conjugates for human use were prepared in two separate vials. Vial 1 contained a lyophilised powder of MenA conjugate, with sucrose and potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Vial 2 contained the MenC, MenW135 and MenY conjugates, with sodium chloride, polysorbate 80, sodium phosphate buffer, and an optional aluminium phosphate adjuvant, which is present in suspension. Prior to use, vial 1 is reconstituted with 0.6 ml liquid from vial 2, to give 0.5 ml available for administration.

Three doses were prepared. In reconstituted form, vaccines contained antigens as follows:

Component Quantity per 0.5 ml dose Serogroup A conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-33 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 5 μg saccharide + 6.25-16.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 2.5 μg saccharide + 3.125-8.25 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup C conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-25 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 5 μg saccharide + 6.25-12.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 2.5 μg saccharide + 3.125-6.25 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup W135 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate OR 5 μg saccharide + 3.3-10 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 2.5 μg saccharide + 1.65-5 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup Y conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 5 μg saccharide + 3.3-10 μg CRM₁₉₇ OR 2.5 μg saccharide + 1.65-5 μg CRM₁₉₇

In reconstituted form, vaccines contained other components as follows:

Component Quantity per 0.5 ml dose Aluminium phosphate adjuvant 0.3 mg as Al³⁺ zero Sodium dihydrogen phosphate 1 mM 2.5 mM Disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate 9 mM 7.5 mM Sodium phosphate buffer 10 mM Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 5 mM Tween ™ 80 (surfactant) 0.025 mg Sodium chloride (tonicity) 4.5 mg Sucrose (lyophilisation & tonicity) 12.5 mg Water for injection To final volume

Six vaccines were thus available—three different doses (10, 20 or 40 μg total saccharide), each with or without aluminium phosphate adjuvant.

The adjuvanted vaccine with the highest saccharide dose was administered to healthy human subjects aged 18-45. For comparison, control subjects received either (a) the vial 1 (reconstituted in buffer) and vial 2 products in different arms at the same time, or (b) Mencevax™. Each patient group contains 30 people.

Blood was collected before and 28 days after vaccination to evaluate the immune response and to collect laboratory safety parameters (complete blood count, blood chemistry analyses, liver and renal function tests and urinalysis). The vaccine was well tolerated, with no unexpected adverse reactions. No significant abnormal changes in laboratory parameters occurred during the study.

Serogroup A, C, W-135, Y specific SBA and IgG (measured by ELISA) were determined in the serum samples. SBA titres were expressed as the reciprocal of the final serum dilution giving ≥50% killing at 60 minutes. For IgG measurement, a modified ELISA was performed to assay high avidity antibodies. For the detection of functional antibodies, SBAs with two different exogenous sources of complement were used: a baby rabbit complement source and a human complement source.

The high avidity IgG results were as follows (mean GMC (μg/mL) with 95% confidence intervals):

Vaccine Group Serogroup Serum ACWY A + CWY Mencevax ™ A Pre 0.67 (0.3-1.2) 0.85 (0.4-1.5) 0.45 (0.2-0.8) Post   10 (6.6-16)   14 (8.8-22)  9.8 (6.2-15) C Pre 0.21 (0.1-0.3) 0.13 (0.07-0.2) 0.16 (0.1-0.2) Post  7.7 (4.7-13)  5.2 (3.19-8.46)  8.5 (5.2-14) W-135 Pre 0.21 (0.1-0.3)  0.2 (0.1-0.3) 0.29 (0.19-0.4) Post   12 (6.5-21)   9 (5.5-18)  6.7 (3.7-12) Y Pre 0.35 (0.2-0.5) 0.31 (0.1-0.5) 0.57 (0.3-0.9) Post   18 (12-29)   21 (13-33)   20 (12-31)

The SBA results were as follows (% responders and mean GMT, both with 95% CI):

Rabbit Complement SBA Human Complement SBA Sero- Titres Titres group Vaccine Group ≥1:128 (%) GMT ≥1:4 (%) GMT A ACWY 93 (78-99) 989 (558-1754) 90 (73-98) 42 (23-76)  A + CWY  97 (83-100) 2566 (1448-4549)  97 (83-100) 66 (36-119) MENCEVAX ™ 100 (88-100) 3132 (1767-5552) 83 (65-94) 28 (15-50)  C ACWY  97 (82-100) 4480 (2455-8176) 100 (88-100) 213 (106-427) A + CWY 100 (88-100) 3794 (2100-6855) 100 (88-100) 162 (80-325) MENCEVAX ™ 93 (78-99) 3829 (2119-6918) 100 (88-100) 223 (111-448) W-135 ACWY 100 (88-100) 10343 (5988-17865) 100 (88-100) 248 (123-500) A + CWY 100 (88-100) 10376 (6007-17923) 93 (78-99) 142 (71-287)  MENCEVAX ™ 100 (88-100)  6795 (3934-11737)  97 (83-100) 99 (49-199) Y ACWY 100 (88-100)  22075 (14689-33175) 100 (88-100) 263 (151-457) A + CWY 100 (88-100)  24034 (15993-36120) 100 (88-100) 162 (194-588) MENCEVAX ™ 100 (88-100) 14630 (9735-21987) 100 (88-100) 198 (114-344)

For each serogroup and in each vaccine group (ACWY, A+CWY and MENCEVAX™ control) the high avidity ELISA anti-capsular IgG GMCs and the SBA GMT measured with both rabbit and human complement assay, increased after injection. At day 29 after vaccine injection, the percentage of subjects with human complement SBA titers ≥1:4 for each serogroup ranged between 90%-100% in the conjugate vaccines and between 83%-100% in the control group. Using the rabbit complement source, the percentage of subjects with SBA titers ≥1:128 for each serogroup ranged between 93%-100% for the conjugate vaccines and between 90%-100% for the control group.

Overall, immune responses (GMC and GMT) were better in the conjugate groups than in the MENCEVAX™ control group. The improvement was particularly seen for serogroup W-135. The conjugate vaccines of the invention are thus safe, well tolerated and induce functional immune responses equal to or better than those observed following immunisation with a licensed tetravalent polysaccharide vaccine.

3. Use of Modified MenA Saccharide

Capsular polysaccharide was purified from MenA and was hydrolysed to give MenA oligosaccharide. The polysaccharide (2 g) was hydrolyzed at 50° C. in 50 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.75, at a polysaccharide concentration of 10 mg/mL for about 4 hours [73]. After hydrolysis, the solution was dried by rotary evaporation.

The oligosaccharide was activated using the following reaction scheme:

The oligosaccharide was dissolved in DMSO to give a saccharide concentration of 10 mg/mL. According to a molar ratio of oligosaccharide:CDI being 1:20, 21.262 g of CDI was then added and the reaction mixture stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. The resulting MenA-CDI compound was purified by selective precipitation in a 80:20 (v/v) acetone:DMSO mixture followed by centrifugation. The efficiency of the activation reaction was calculated to be about 67.9% by determining the ratio of free imidazole to bonded imidazole.

In the second reaction step, the MenA-CDI oligosaccharide was solubilised in DMSO at a saccharide concentration of about 10 mg/mL. According to a molar ratio of MenA-CDI unit:DMA being 1:100, 36.288 g of 99% dimethylamine hydrochloride (i.e. R¹ & R²=Me) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. The reaction product was freeze-dried and re-solubilised in 10 mg/mL water solution.

To remove the low molecular weight reaction reagent (in particular the dimethylamine (DMA)) from the oligosaccharide preparation, a dialysis step was performed through a 3.5 kDa MWCO membrane (Spectra/Por™). Four dialysis steps were carried out: (i) 16 hours against 2 L of 1 M sodium chloride (dialysis factor 1:20), (ii) 16 hours against 2 L of 0.5 M sodium chloride (dialysis factor 1:20), (iii) and (iv) 16 hours against 2 L of WFI (dialysis factor 1:20). To improve the purification a diafiltration step was also performed through a 1 kDa MWCO membrane (Centricon™)

The purified MenA-CDI-DMA product was buffered at pH 6.5 in 25 mM L-histidine (Fluka™)

For preparing conjugates of the modified MenA saccharide (MenA-CDI-DMA), the overall process was as follows:

-   -   hydrolysis of the polysaccharide to give oligosaccharide         fragments     -   sizing of the oligosaccharide fragments     -   reductive amination of terminal aldehyde groups on the sized         oligosaccharides     -   protection of terminal —NH₂ groups by Fmoc group before the CDI         reaction     -   intrinsic de-protection of —NH₂ groups during the DMA reaction     -   activation of terminal —NH₂ groups by SIDEA         (N-hydroxysuccinimide adipic acid)     -   covalent attachment to CRM₁₉₇ protein.

The modified MenA oligosaccharide conjugate was much more resistant to hydrolysis than its natural counterpart at elevated temperatures. After 28 days at 37° C., for instance, the percentage of released saccharide is 6.4% for the modified oligosaccharide vs. 23.5% for the natural antigen. Moreover, the titres induced by the modified oligosaccharides are not significantly lower than those obtained using the native sugar structures.

The modified MenA conjugate is combined with MenC, MenW135 and MenY conjugates as a substitute for the conjugate of unmodified oligosaccharide.

4. Addition of MenB Antigens

Prior to reconstitution of the lyophilised MenA conjugate as described above, MenB antigens ΔG287-953 (SEQ ID NO: 7), 936-ΔG741 (SEQ ID NO: 8) and NadA (SEQ ID NO: 2) are added to the highest-dose liquid C-W135-Y mixture to give a final concentration of 20 μg/dose of each of the three polypeptides. The reconstituted vaccine thus contains the following antigens:

Component Quantity per 0.5 ml dose Serogroup A conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-33 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup C conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-25 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup W135 conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup Y conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ ΔG287-953 20 μg polypeptide 936-ΔG741 20 μg polypeptide NadA 20 μg polypeptide

5. Addition of Hib Antigen

Lyophilised HbOC conjugate is mixed with the lyophilised MenA conjugate and both are reconstituted together by liquid C-W135-Y mixture to give following vaccine:

Component Quantity per 0.5 ml dose Serogroup A conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-33 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup C conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 12.5-25 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup W135 conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup Y conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 6.6-20 μg CRM₁₉₇ HbOC Hib conjugate 10 μg saccharide + 2-5 μg CRM₁₉₇

6. Addition of Pneumococcal Antigens

Prior to reconstitution of the lyophilised MenA conjugate as described above, pneumococcal conjugate antigens are added to the medium-dose liquid C-W135-Y mixture to give a final concentration of 2 μg/dose of each of the serotypes (double for serotype 6B). The reconstituted vaccine thus contains the following antigens:

Component Quantity per 0.5 ml dose Serogroup A conjugate 5 μg saccharide + 6.25-16.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup C conjugate 5 μg saccharide + 6.25-12.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup W135 conjugate 5 μg saccharide + 3.3-10 μg CRM₁₉₇ Serogroup Y conjugate 5 μg saccharide + 3.3-10 μg CRM₁₉₇ Pneumococcus serotype 4 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 9V 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 14 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 18C 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 19F 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 23F 2 μg saccharide + 2.5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate Pneumococcus serotype 6B 4 μg saccharide + 5 μg CRM₁₉₇ conjugate

It will be understood that the invention has been described by way of example only and modifications may be made whilst remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.

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The invention claimed is:
 1. A kit comprising (a) a lyophilized capsular saccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A conjugated to a carrier protein and (b) liquid capsular saccharides of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C, W135 and Y each conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein each of the conjugates is a separate conjugate for each of the serogroups A, C, Y and W135 and wherein reconstitution of the lyophilized capsular saccharide conjugate of the serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis with the liquid capsular saccharide conjugates of the serogroups C, Y and W135 Neisseria meningitidis produces an injectable composition comprising between about 10 micrograms and 25 micrograms of the capsular saccharides per dose of the composition and wherein the capsular saccharides of the Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Y are present at a 2:1:1:1 capsular saccharide weight ratio.
 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the capsular saccharide of Neisseria meningtidis serogroup A is modified so that one or more hydroxyl groups of the capsular saccharide have been replaced with blocking groups. 